What course are you taking? What book are you reading? What business are you starting?

Most people they tell me that the rich are greedy and hoard all the money, leaving the “rest of us” to suffer. They claim that they themselves don’t care about money, not like those greedy, money-hungry rich folks.

But I ask them, what does that not caring look like? Struggling with bills every month, just getting by, with nothing left over for fun, or education, or for giving to those less fortunate.

In fact, they need help themselves, so how can they help others?

In my experience, a lot of poor people are more “greedy” than rich people.

Many poor people insist that:

- The rich should pay all the taxes

- The government should take care of them

- They deserve a higher salary for doing the bare minimum at work

- Wealth should be “redistributed” (meaning THEY get money that someone else earned).

Poor people criticize the rich for being “privileged.”

Well, I would go so far as to criticize anyone who feels that way as being “entitled!”

So much of the media fans the flames. Painting rich people as villains. As if being smart, hardworking and successful were some kind of a crime.

No wonder so many people say they don’t care about money, and they’ll argue with anyone who points out this truth: Those “mean” rich people they hate so much are some of the most generous people around.

Take Bill Gates.

Yes, he’s the wealthiest man in the world, so he has more to give. But get this, according to “Wealth-X”, a wealth research firm, Mr. Gates has donated 32% of his $82.4 billion net worth so far. That’s $27 Billion.

If the average “non-rich” household income is roughly $76,000/year, 32% donated over a 30-year career would be $729,600.

(How many “non-rich” people do you know who would give that much?)

Bill Gates is not alone. Most ultra-wealthy people I know give away more money every year than most people will ever earn in their lifetimes.

My experience is that they are all actively LOOKING for ways to give back.

To them, the biggest luxury of being rich isn’t owning a yacht or an island… it’s having the capacity to make a real difference in the world.

Contrast that with people who are always simply looking for a handout.

So, who’s “greedy” now?

For those who want to keep blaming others for why they’re not where they want to be, I’m not here to change their minds.

For anyone who believes that the world owes them a living, they’re not welcome in my world.

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Then the laws of natural selection need to be applied. It's harsh yes, however if you keep feeding every baby born just because it was born then people will simply keep having babies on a planet that is already being populated at an unsustainable rate.

Poorer families are larger as the stay home, nothing to do (developed mentality of thinking you need money to go out and do things) ((you don't by the way but I know you know this already)) get bored so have sex and 9 months later another mouth to feed that they already can't afford to feed so it becomes the, well, some will say responsibility, others will say burden of the tax payers and charities of the country to raise someone that ended up here out of boredom.

The original post above as I am sure once again you are aware is not about the poverty stricken countries on the planet plagued by wars famine and zero GDP of their countries, it is was aimed at those that are described in the UK as benefits seekers or in the US (original authors location) Welfare seekers. The ones that are content to live paycheck to paycheck without any savings or fall back plans as they know that if they cant meet a bill (usually because they're all spent up on their credit limits and making loan repayments for their cars they cant afford (cause they're too important to get a bus) or for that 50 inch TV they had to have cause their neighbours got one) that society (government and charities) will step in and help out.

Put aside the worst case of rioting and looting, imagine the government tomorrow stating that 90% of all those on benefits today will be ineligible for any benefits as of 1st Jan 2020 and there will be no appeals or compensation etc, just too bad, oh well, there there, end of (The 10% that do qualify are of course those that TRULY WILL NEVER have an alternative to get by) After the initial shocks, outrage, politicians slating each other off and Jeremy Vine discussing it for three months solid you'll probably find that nearly all that 90% realized the 'hand out' culture was done for and went and did something about it, something to improve their quality of life, learnt new skills, retrained, relocated to areas of better employment opportunities changed industries and more.. why? Because they have no alternative choice.

If I recall correctly @solarpanelcleaningltd you were living 'off the grid' ? I think that's awesome, a great way to cut bills, save and truly learn the values of what's needed and what's not. I myself was homeless as a teen, again in later life in serious debt living below the poverty line unable to feed my family. In 46 years the government has given me EXACTLY £30 in benefits as an 'emergency payout' which to this day they have still failed to pay into my bank account and after numerous calls to their 0800 help line (not free from mobiles but the only phone I had then) the cost of phone calls to sort it out came to over £69 - Of course I never saw that back. So I know what it's like, I don't write this from some ivory tower I write this from a real world perspective. Another gem for you, the reason many employers will only pay minimum wage is because they know they can still get employees that will do the job as the employee will then get benefits to top up their cost of 'living' (surviving)

The system is broke, we all know that, the answer is not in blaming the poor, nor is it in blaming the rich either it is most often in those right inbetween (in my opinion such as myself)

Rob Moore once wrote 'Give a tramp £1000 he'll buy an iphone, give a rich person £1000 and they'll turn it into £1 million' It's the humans obsession with 'stuff' the stuff that is just not necessary but the must have **** that keeps us all so poor.

I sit here with a Galaxy phone in my pocket 6 months old on a two year contract, to buy the phone outright today would still be £650 retail and my contract is for £70 per month £1680 all in but just yesterday we were in Carphone warehouse (getting mother in law a phone) and i'm looking at models that make and receive calls and have a web browser (all I really need) that I could buy outright for £200 saving me some £1480 over 2 years but no, I have to have the shiny go faster one!

As for those starving in war torn, famin ruined, drought destroyed countries run by dictators that quite frankly the 'civilized' governments should have assassinated long ago then if you have a plan let me know, i'll subscribe today.

P.S. Side note: Re benefits I received (but never did) I would have taken more to help my family but did not qualify, don't know why. Perhaps it's because I'm white, fluent in english, roman catholic, hetrosexual, male, british born or just bad luck, but either way apparently their was never anything they could do for me. (to be honest glad about it or I may not be where I am now)

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Let's get one thing straight from the start, I'm anything but a Socialist and definitely not a Communist. I've never been unemployed and have worked since I was 16, so nearly 40 years. I think using the likes of Bill Gates, and other Billionaire Philanthropists, as an example of how the rich give money away is wrong. Whilst there is no doubt he is giving away a lot of money it is money he can very easily afford. Now if he gave away 99% of his wealth he would get my admiration, he would however still have a billion dollars and a $4 billion a year salary. The likes of him and Buffet legally avoid paying tax, whilst some might highlight the "legal" part of this personally I look at the "avoid" part and wonder are these elderly billionaires trying to justify their immoral avoidance by giving the money, they avoided paying tax on, away to some how feel better. You might say I'm cynical but to me one line in the OP is very cynical and that is

To them, the biggest luxury of being rich isn’t owning a yacht or an island… it’s having the capacity to make a real difference in the world.﻿

Because they do own yachts, islands, planes and numerous houses around the world.

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We have a billionaire up here and I used to admire him, until I found out he is based in Monaco now to avoid tax. Greed begets greed, I like Carnegie who said. "The man who thus dies rich, dies in disgrace"

The problem with socialism is, we eventually run out of other peoples money.

The problem with capitalism is, we eventually run out of poor folk to tax.

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We have a billionaire up here and I used to admire him, until I found out he is based in Monaco now to avoid tax. Greed begets greed, I like Carnegie who said. "The man who thus dies rich, dies in disgrace"

The problem with socialism is, we eventually run out of other peoples money.

The problem with capitalism is, we eventually run out of poor folk to tax.

Plus I hate bloomin monaco today! They lost last night to Metz and that result stopped me from a nice little 200 quid win. Shoulda stuck with just uk games.

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Plus I hate bloomin monaco today! They lost last night to Metz and that result stopped me from a nice little 200 quid win. Shoulda stuck with just uk games.

Aye, I used to bet all the time but eventually realized that I just got my money back. Might be my age but don't get the same buzz as I used to. Would rather buy something like a £77 pillow that I recently bought which gave me the best sleep one can only dream of.

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Aye, I used to bet all the time but eventually realized that I just got my money back. Might be my age but don't get the same buzz as I used to. Would rather buy something like a £77 pillow that I recently bought which gave me the best sleep one can only dream of.

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yeh I spose we spend stupid amounts on beer or latest gadgets etc and dont think about one of the most important things - sleep. I had this crook neck/shoulder thing years ago after id slept on a mates sofa. wouldnt go away, coproxamol etc nothing worked, ended up having to get drunk and stoned each night to dull the pain to sleep. So yeh, a worthwhile investment.

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I have always said, if someone can make a 1.5 thick pillow then they will be very rich. I have always found 1 pillow too little and 2 pillows too much. The tempur pillow seems to be the nearest to 1.5 that I have found and no problem with overheating.

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Let's get one thing straight from the start, I'm anything but a Socialist and definitely not a Communist. I've never been unemployed and have worked since I was 16, so nearly 40 years. I think using the likes of Bill Gates, and other Billionaire Philanthropists, as an example of how the rich give money away is wrong. Whilst there is no doubt he is giving away a lot of money it is money he can very easily afford. Now if he gave away 99% of his wealth he would get my admiration, he would however still have a billion dollars and a $4 billion a year salary. The likes of him and Buffet legally avoid paying tax, whilst some might highlight the "legal" part of this personally I look at the "avoid" part and wonder are these elderly billionaires trying to justify their immoral avoidance by giving the money, they avoided paying tax on, away to some how feel better. You might say I'm cynical but to me one line in the OP is very cynical and that is

To them, the biggest luxury of being rich isn’t owning a yacht or an island… it’s having the capacity to make a real difference in the world.﻿

Because they do own yachts, islands, planes and numerous houses around the world.

Here here mate! Bill Gates is the tech worlds version of someone converting to Catholicism because they think they can be absolved of all of their sins. He gives away so much money to produce an image to the general public because he was so badly berated in the 90's for screwing people over. When good things are done for selfish means and have little to no impact on the quality of you life are they still good things??

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Here here mate! Bill Gates is the tech worlds version of someone converting to Catholicism because they think they can be absolved of all of their sins. He gives away so much money to produce an image to the general public because he was so badly berated in the 90's for screwing people over. When good things are done for selfish means and have little to no impact on the quality of you life are they still good things??

isnt bill gates a self made multi billionaire ?

You only get that rich by being selfish and screwing the odd person over may just be part of it also.

This is a tough world he isnt where he is by being the nice guy......that doesnt get you anywhere in life

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You only get that rich by being selfish and screwing the odd person over may just be part of it also.

This is a tough world he isnt where he is by being the nice guy......that doesnt get you anywhere in life

It is often true that nice guys finish last, my point was around gates open virtue signaling which has been quoted in the original post. I don’t feel it has as much value as the post would have you believe. I don’t see the point in one person having as more money than several generations of his family could spend.... still not a socialist though.

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Here's another spanner. Bill Gates didn't do it for the money. He did it for the name /challenge etc. Not greed. Money stops being a motivator quite quickly when you can afford most things you want. Of course he did people over, they were likely people that would have just as happily done it to him. In this messed up world, why is that an issue?

For me it stopped being about money a while ago. Now I'm in it for the game. Is that greed?

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Here's another spanner. Bill Gates didn't do it for the money. He did it for the name /challenge etc. Not greed. Money stops being a motivator quite quickly when you can afford most things you want. Of course he did people over, they were likely people that would have just as happily done it to him. In this messed up world, why is that an issue?

For me it stopped being about money a while ago. Now I'm in it for the game. Is that greed?

My point is he is being used as a good example, I’m not questioning whether his morals are flawed I am pointing out that these types of people are not good examples for the point being made. Although I would never try to speak for @Part Timer I’m pretty sure he was making the same point in the comment I responded to!

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For﻿ me﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ it stopped being abo﻿u﻿t money a while ago. Now I'm in it for the ﻿game. Is that ﻿greed?﻿﻿﻿

Yes you greedy b*****d! 😁

Nice to see someone realise that money is not the factor that drives most to the top of their profession.

You're all quick to berate Bill Gates but never once has he spoken of his charitable donations the information comes from investigative organisations that like to dig this stuff up.

Where would the tech world be without Bill? Wouldn't be where we are today, wouldn't have Facebook and the likes as Zuckerberg wouldn't have had a platform to build on.

Gates 'screwed' people over - being screwed is perspective.

True story: I had two lads repeatedly trying to BS me and pull the wool over my eyes, I had enough of them 'screwing' me over, so yesterday morning I fired both on the spot. They're probably busy talking about how I 'screwed' them over.

I do not condone or defend anyone I don't personally know but you're all pretty quick to judge Bill based on what you hear and read in the tabloids and media. How much of your judgment comes from knowing him personally? Just curious.

Could he give away more? Probably, should he give away more? What if he's found the cure for cancer and just needs another 2 billion to get this project of the ground to cure the world for 'free' (obviously not for free as it cost 86 billion but the folks getting cured at no cost to them wont think about that they'll think 'yay free cure')

Back to quoting @Leeds When you finally realize that it's about doing what you do well better than anyone else can be 'bothered' to do then the money becomes but a bi-product of what you do.

Robert Kiyosaki was the original author of the first post - and from reactions as I predicted many don't like the truth 😉

Side note: What if (work with me here) we had no billionaires in the world? Better still no millionaires...... ?

Whom would we look to and blame for every elses poor financial standing then? (Because we cant of course blame them themselves, it's never their fault)

His charitable foundation is named after them. I have no problems with billionaires, what I don't like are those that have fiddled their way through the system being somehow used as an example of the great and the good.